Mechanical Engineer, Robotics Hardware - Part-Time Internship

FieldAI • Irvine, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Field AI is transforming how robots interact with the real world. We are building risk-aware, reliable, and field-ready AI systems that address the most complex challenges in robotics, unlocking the full potential of embodied intelligence. We go beyond typical data-driven approaches or pure transformer-based architectures, and are charting a new course, with already-globally-deployed solutions delivering real-world results and rapidly improving models through real-field applications. The Hardware Team at Field AI develops perception and compute payloads that power autonomous robotics systems in complex real world environments. Our work spans the full hardware stack designing and integrating sensing systems (LiDAR, camera, TOF, IMU, GPS), embedded compute (CPUs, GPUs, microcontrollers, Linux, ROS), electrical systems (power distribution, communication), and mechanical components (structures, thermal regulation, ingress protection). The team focuses on both development (research, design, prototyping, testing) and operations (production, testing, QA, debugging). We’re a small, fast-moving team, and we care deeply about improving: 1) core capabilities, 2) system reliability, 3) system scalability. As a growing team we are also building operational systems and procedures from the ground up. As a Mechanical Engineer Intern on the Hardware Team at Field AI, you will contribute to the design and implementation of mechanical systems that house and support sensing and compute platforms in real-world environments. From ruggedized enclosures to thermal management to manufacturability, your work will be critical to ensuring our systems operate reliably in the field. Responsibilities may span the full lifecycle from CAD through production to field support. You will collaborate closely with electrical, compute, and systems engineers to build tightly integrated solutions ready for deployment in challenging field environments. Additionally while your focus will be on mechanical systems you will likely contribute across all hardware domains.

Requirements

• Current student pursuing a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Proficient with SolidWorks or equivalent mechanical CAD platforms.
• Familiarity with FEA and thermal modeling tools.
• Experience designing hardware that survives vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and environmental exposure.
• Experience designing for CNC, sheet metal, additive manufacturing, and assembly workflows.
• Experience working across teams to integrate mechanical systems with compute, sensors, and power electronics.
• Comfort with mechanical debugging, thermal test setups, vibration tables, and ingress testing.
• Ability to contribute electrical, sensing, and embedded computing work to deliver robust integrated systems.

Nice To Haves

• Experience taking systems from prototype to large scale production.
• Experience developing systems for harsh field environments.
• Experience working on robotics deployed in real world settings such as autonomous vehicles, drones, or ruggedized robots.
• Fluency across mechanical, electrical, and software systems.
• Experience designing to meet IP ratings, MIL-STD, or equivalent ruggedness standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and model mechanical structures including external enclosures, internal compute frames, and load-bearing chassis.
• Design and validate robust sensor mounts, payload attachment points, and mechanical interfaces.
• Implement IP-rated solutions with gaskets, seals, membranes, and coatings to meet water/dust ingress standards.
• Incorporate thermal mitigation strategies such as fans, heat sinks, conductive paths, and airflow guides.
• Ensure adherence to payload constraints, including tight volumetric envelopes and weight limitations.
• Build detailed SolidWorks CAD assemblies.
• Run FEA and thermal simulations to validate strength, durability, and heat dissipation.
• Choose materials and components to meet mass, strength, thermal, and manufacturability constraints.
• Apply DFM, DFA, DFS principles throughout the design lifecycle.
• Conduct mechanical load testing (shock, vibration), thermal validation, ingress tests, and sensor alignment assessments.
• Rapidly iterate on prototypes for fit checks, thermal evaluations, and integration trials.
• Generate mechanical drawings, GD&T annotations, BOMs, and assembly instructions for fabrication and QA.
• Manage weight, volume, and thermal budgets.
• Work with vendors and contract manufacturers to procure mechanical hardware.
• Develop QA checks for incoming units.
• Support payload integration and scaling.
• Investigate mechanical failures, deformation, and environmental weaknesses during testing and deployments.
• Develop protocols for monitoring the system mechanical health and loads.

Benefits

• Salary range is generous and we take into consideration an individual's background and experience in determining final salary; base pay offered may vary considerably depending on geographic location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern